AUGUSTA — Sen. Louis Luchini, a Democrat from Ellsworth, said Tuesday that he will resign to take a post in the federal government.

Rep. Louis J. Luchini, D-Ellsworth, shown in 2018, is resigning from the state Senate to take a job as an advocate with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Luchini said he will work as an advocate within the U.S. Small Business Administration.

His role will be to work with small business owners, government agencies, trade associations and others in the six New England states.

Luchini has served in the Maine Legislature since his election to the Maine House of Representatives in 2010. He was then elected to the Maine Senate in 2018 and reelected in 2020.

Luchini’s departure necessitates a special election to fill his Senate seat. The state has not yet announced when that will be held.